Lubricating apparatus.



W. L. MORRIS.

LUBRIGATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION IILBI) AUG. 5. 1905.

Patented Oct. 7, 1913.

WITNESSES:

W INV%.TOR

7 HIS ATTORNEY.

- snares PATENT OFFIGE.

WILLIAM L. M03318,- OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T0 S. F. BOWSEB & COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA.

LUBBIGATING 1 APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patent/ed @cln'l, 1913.

' s mmnmean msueoa Serial Io. 272,82

of @hio, have invented a new and useful= Improvement .in Lubricating Apparatus, of which 'the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein ex plained and the bestmode in which I have= contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other-inventions.

My invention relates -to---a system for sup plying lubricating oil, for the various purposes to which such oil-is put, at a numberof different points -in-a machine or in any number of machines throughout a shop or power station.

will-be efficient, economical an continuous in their operation.

To the accomplishment of these "ends my system provides not merely for the distribu tion of the oil to the points desired, but,

since for many purposes it is desirableto use oil in excess quantity, for the collectionof-such excess, or drips, and for freeing the same from impurities and returning them to the general. system to be used over again.

My system further includes means whereby any part thereof may be temporarily cut oil from the remainder to be cleaned or repaired without interrupting the operation.

of the system as a whole.

My invention consists finally of the combination, arrangement and construction of description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention,- such dis-- closed means constituting but one of variof arrangement of the various parts. of my lubricating system, 'such parts being shown therein in vertical cross-section. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectionalview taken on an imaginary plane cutting'the points ofzthe'arrowa 2-2 through the drip collectingtrap of Fig, 1. Fig. represents a vertical cross- ISGGtlOIl of an oil-cup suitable for use in connection with my improved lubricating system. F1 .4 re

represents, also upon an enlarged scale, -a sight-feed placed in the overflow-pipe leadmg from said distributing-tank; and Fig. 6 represents, in enlar ed horizontal aws-section, an improved orm of union connection designed for use in my lubricattmg system.

It is quite generally acknowledged that oil retains indefinitely its lubricatin properties and hence that, when freed mm the impurities taken up in the course of its use, The object of the invention is to providemeans ior effecting the above urpose thatf can he used over and over again. These ampurrtxesere of two distinct classes, one consisting of particles of grit, metal, and

' carbonated fats, all of which are insoluble but readily carried in suspension, theotherconsisting of water in the form of infinitel small drops so thoroughly mingled with the oil as to form an emulsion therewith.

Accordingly, as will ap ear, my lubricating system includes means or removing both o 1 ese classesof impurities from the oil.

Asshown in the arrangement of parts diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 1, my sysitem comprises a receiving reservoir A, a distributing reservoirB, umping mechanism D with pipes for tran erring oil from such receiving reservoir to such distributing reservoiigoil distributing pipes Eleadin from the distributing reservoir B to the polnts to be lubricated, dripcollecting pipes F'leading from such points to receiving reservoir .A, and oil purifying means interposed in .force of gravity alone. The initial supply of oil for use in the system, as we'll as such resents upon an enlarged sca'le the sprea er which forms a feature- .of the dlstl'ibuting tanks B, 13*. Fig. 5

1 such drip'collectmg pipes, comprising a additions thereto as may firom time to time be may be placed in this reservoir.

sure where this method is found desirable.

This reservoir is designed to serve both as the distributing center of the system and, since the oil while contained therein is in a more or less quiescent state, as a precipitation chamber wherein the finer impurities in the oil are allowed to separate out. In order to utilize fully this use of such reservoir I make it consist of two or more separate receptacles or tanks B B and am thus able to allow the contents of the one to remain entirely undisturbed while drawing oil from the other, and so to secure a proportionally more thorough precipitation of the minute particles forming the impurity referred to. Oil is alternatel admittedto these receptacles through fee -pipe D andbranches d d". Oil is directly withdrawn from either of them for lubricating purposes by means of pipe E which distributes the oil to the desired points about the machine or shop through branches E leading to the oil-cups E'-', which feed theoil at any desired rate to the various bearings and mechanisms. To draw ofi from B or B any surplus of oil, or to return to the receiving reservoir "A oil from which the sedimentary impurity has been precipitated, an overflow b is provided. This overflow is preferably in the form of a horizontallydisposed, recurved or circular trough, in order to rovide means for quickly withdrawing t e oil and to avoid disturbing the sedimentary deposit in the bottom of the re ceptacles. A pipe I) adjustably held in stufiing-box b permlts the raising or lowerin of the overflow and serves to conduct the oi to' funnel b whence it is led through pipe B and branch B to receivin tank A. A sight-feed B shown in enlarge cross-section in 5, permits a close inspection of the escaping liquid, which can be diverted by means of suitable stop-cocks through branch-pipe B to an independent receptacle K or through B to waste-pipe B, Gages 6 permit a similar inspection of the contents of receptacles B B.

Instead of lowerin the overflow in the manner just described the same result may be effected by admitting water to the bottom.

' d, admit the water somewhat above the bottom of the receptacles and in such manpiston but also the securin ner as to avoid any said sediment.

.The cups E by which the oil is fed from distributing-pipe E to the bearings, etc., maybe of any approved pattern. For use in my system, however, especially when employed as a gravity or low pressure feed system, I have devised a special form of oilcup, shown in detail in Fig. 3. This cup consists essentially of a cup-body e centrally positioned in the bottom of which is the agitation of the aforelms 2 provided with an axial bore, the

boss e and in its upper end with a recessed chamber e from which a port e passes axially through valve c.

When the valve e is in position to close the bore in boss 0?,

the piston rests upon a ledge 6 formed in the walls of the cup. Oil is admitted to the cup beneath the iston through the bore in the boss 0 to. w ich the distributing-pipe branch E is connected in any suitable man- 'ner. The pressure of the oil thus admitted to the cup raises the piston and thereby opens the valve e, permitting the oil to escape to the hearing. The distance the piston may be raised is regulated by means of an adjusting screw 0 centrally threaded in cover 2 and rovided with a lock-nut e". The lower en of the screw e is provided with a disk-like rojection which is designed to lie wit iin the recess in chamber.

e, thereby making possible not only the limitation of the upward movement of the of the piston so that the valve 6 is he d permanently, 0 en. 'Obviousl such set screw is also a apted,. t o hol the valve permanently closed, and thus forms an independent means of operatin the valve. That the reciprocation of t e valve-bearing piston may be perfectly free it is purposely fitted within the cup loosely enoughto permit a thin film of oil to lie between it and' the walls of the cup. Such small quantities of oilas may leak past the piston collect in chamber (2 and escape from there through the port in valve 6 to the bearing. When the valve is closed tightlyby means'of its stored weight such leakage is stopped by the piston resting on ledge a above described. To supply oil to these cups in case of emergency, as when both tanks of reserv ir B are out of service, independent or auxiliardistributing tanks T, of which only 0 e is 136 imvao shown, are connected with each group of suchcups. It is partienlarl with aview to occasions when the supply is being drawn from such auxiliary tank that the valves of the cups are constructed to he held open, for the pressure of oil might not be suflicient in 'such case to raise the piston in the cup.

The dripcollecting means comprise a set of branch pipes F, leading from the several drip-collecting receptacles F, F, F, and connected to discharge their contents through pipe F directly upon 'clarifier' P or through pipe F intothe waiter sepa-- rating device M. Where the excess of oil is from anordinary bearing. and-hence practically pure a; plain; funnel device as shown at F or F will suflice for adrip receptacle;

W'here, however, the oilis collected fromthe cutting tools of a drilling or milling machine, andhencecontain metal chips, andthe like, or where other gross impurities are apt to become mingled with the oil' inconnection with its use in a machine, a receptacle of'the form shown at F is best rovided. This receptacle consists of the rippot f, the opening of which is fitted with aperforated cover f, and within-which depends the screen basket f These prevent such grosser impurities from clogging the collectingpipes. Manifold traps F are rovided where convenient in the course of ripcollecting pipes F to-separate such of the impurities as escapethroughthe drip-pots..

Such trap, Figs. 1 and 2, consist-s prefer'-. of two members I? f, the upper of wln ch has a partition f, on one side of which the oil is received and on the other discharged, thus preventing heavy impurities from being borne directly through the trap by the force of the current of- Oll. To prevent the precipitation of such or similar impurities elsewhere in the line than in suchtraps, the various pipe connections throu out the system and particularly in the dripcollecting set of pipes are made as smooth internally as possible. To this end I have designed the form ofjoint shown in Fig. 6. This joint comprises two sleeves k h, re-

spcctivel threaded on the abutting pipe ends, an a filling-in ring it of compressible material lying in a groove in each sleeve and between the sleeve andsuch end of the pipe, which rings after the end of the pipe sections have been secured together are designed to be trimmed down so as to leave the bore of the joint smooth and uninterrupted. The ends of the sleeves are held together by means of the coupling-sleeve k bearing against a= flange h on one sleeve h and threaded on the other, whereby the whole connection is joined tightly together.

The'first of the oil: urifying devices interposed in the drip-co ecting pipesystem is an automatic water separator M designedeating freely at the bottom of the tank. At

the start, water is introduced into the tank or else allowed to accumulate until high enough to'shut-ofl such communication. The height of water at anytime is indicated by means at a gage mi. The returning drips collected pipes F are discharged into t e largeroi t esecompartments through small" openings m at a higher level than that ever occupied by the-water, the object being to discharge such returning oilin the body of oil already collected and not in the water in the bottom of the tank. The accumulationof oil in the larger compartment will raise the level of the water in the smaller compartment to a height somewhat less than that of such oil. 0verflows m m are pro vided therefore at diflcrent-levels whereby the oil and water may separately escape. These overflows are of the horizontal trough-likedesign-already describedinconnection with tanks B, B, but difier therefrom in that they are attached to the sides of the tank. By means of these overflows the levels of the separated liquids are maintained constantwithout danger of asuddeninrush of oil building upahead and so disturbing the arrangement. The water escoping by overflow m isconducted to the sewer by a pipe at. Cockm" at the bottom is connected to draw 0d the contents of the tankwhen it is being cleaned. A pipe M connects the tankdirectly with the pump ing mechanism D,- which permits the use oftank M as a receiving reservoir, either auxiliary to reservoir A or independently thereof pending the cleansing of the latter, the separation ofwater in tank M being temporarily omitted. To gettank M back into service as a waterseparator, the oil on top of the water in the smaller compartment 1s diverted through branch ml of overflow pipe m and saved.

In the normal use of tank M as a Water separator the oil escapes by overflow m, being thence conducted by pipe M to the vaporizer-N where all remaining traces of water are designed to be removed. The drips may also be led directly to the vaporizer through pipe F without passing through water separator M. This vaporizer comprises a'tank N divided into a number of compartments and connected with. afan N, an exhaust-fan as shown, whereby air, admitted through the opening n, is drawn through and over the oil, the compartments of the tank being arranged to insure a thorough contact of the air current with the oil passing through the tank. The air is preferably heated to the proper temperature for vaporizing the water with a minimum vaporization of oil b being first led over a coil n of steam pipe. A closed compartment n in the tank, connected with watermain D by pipe N presents a cold surface to the vapor-laden air just after it has passed through and over the oil and condenses the water and such oils as may have been vaporized. To insure the thoroughness of such condensation a, 'et or spray of water from a pipe a is, in a dition, introduced into that part of the chamber where the outlet pipe for the air is located. The condensed va ors with the water from the spray are le by the pipe N to an independent receptacle K. If any oil is carried along with the vaporized water it is here retained and maybe reclaimed. After passing through the vaporizer just described, the oil is normally led to the clarifier P, which, in the arrangement of parts shown in the drawing, is situated in the upper part of receiving reservoir A. After passing through clarifier P the oil overflows directly into such receiving reservoir, if valve in pipe p be closed or is conducted to pumping mechanism D if said valved pipe be open., This clarifier preferably comprises a filter p and a series of inclined trays p with corrugatedbottoms, the corrugations being transversely disposed relatively to the direction of the trays inclination. Filter p comprises a metal tray with raised sides and having its bottom pierced by a large number of fine passages. The oil is not forced through this filter P under any greater ressure than that produced by its own hea which will be constant, depending upon the height of the sides of the tray. In case the flow of oil is greater than will normally pass through the passages in its bottom the excess will simply run over its sides to be caught on the trays beneath. This is considered better than forcing the oil through the passages under varying pressures and thereby dislodging at times of such increased head the particles separated out when the flow was normal.

Most of the connections of the pumping mechanism have already been indicated. The mechanism comprises a pump D placed inside reservoir A and near its bottom, and a motor 1) to operate the same. As shown the pump D may be connected to draw oil from either the receivin reservoir A through pipe M, from tank through pipe M, or from filter device P through funnel 11. It also has a fourth connection through pipe D directly with the atmosphere. This last connection is used when it is desired to force the oil through the distributing system under air pressure, the covers of distributing tanks B B in such event being tightly closed, and the air being forced therein through pipe D just as the oil is when oil is being pumped. Whether gravity or pressure-feed is employed, the motor operating the pump should be controlled to maintain a constant pressure upon the oil discharged from reservoir B. Such control is easily effected by havin the piston ll of the pump connected with tfie continuously reciprocating piston-rod d of the motor so as to engage therewith in an upward direction only. Such engagement and consequent actuation of the pump will cease as soon as the pressure in reservoir B or connected pipes be eomesfreat enough to balance a weight D' secure to pump piston 11. V

The operation of the several parts having been described in passing, it only remains to indicate the manner in which these parts cooperate in the operation of the system as a whole. To this end the system will be described as when arranged in the manner represented in Fig. 1, the various tanks, valves, etc., being in the conditions there shown. As there shown tank B of the distributing reservoir B has been filled with oil and is temporarily cut off from circulation to permit the impurities therein to precipitate out. Upon such precipitation eing complete the are oil will be withdrawn from the tan and returned to receiving reservoir A, either by lowering overthrough pipe 11 and s reader cl an thereby raising the oil gra ually to-the overflow as fast as it is carried away b pipe b. Heavier oil that may bemingle with the lighter oil, such lighter oil being assumed to form the bulk of the lubricant used, will have formed a se arate stratum near the bottom of tank 1 and can be diverted through pi e B to receptacle K upon being detecte in sight feed B. As soon as in the course of the removal of the contents of tank B, the oil has been all withdrawn and water begins to escape over the overflow it can be similarly'divertedthroughpipe B to the waste. Upon tank B being emptied of oil it is ready for cleaning which is conveniently erformed by removing spreader d, and ililshin it out with water, the dirty water being rained off through waste pipe B. Pending the preci itation of impurities from the Qll in tank tank B is, as shown in said Fig. 1, in process of being filled with oil from receiving reservoir A, its capacity bein large enoughto contain the excess of 01 over that in tank B and in circulation in the system. In other words, by the time that the oil in tank B is ready to be withdrawn, reservoir A will have been emptied andcan be cleaned preparatory to receiving such pure oil. The oil required by the system in the meantime ing pipe E, the drips collected by pipes F When reservoir A is bein beingreturnedafter passing through suchof the purifyin devices M,:N, and P as'is thought desire. 1e,- directly to pumping mechanism D. Upontank B 'heing cleaned I and again ready for service, the arrangement just described is reversed; tank B is cut off from circulation-and used as a precipitation receptacle while tank B is employed inthe capacity of distributing reser voir. Oil-cups E having been properly ad justed,'their operation is-automatic so soon" as thersupply 'is turned' on from tank B or B In case-a'machin'e is idle the branch pipe'E leadingzto the particular group of cups connected with' such "machine is cut off. If for any reason both tanks in reservoir B are temporarily out of service the independent distributing-tanks '1 one of which is designed to be attached -to each group of en s,can be employed to supply oil thereto.

en it 'is desired to clean out the distributing-pipe system, the oil is rapidly flushed through each separate pipe to feed cups E being thence conducted b the-dripcollecting pipes directly throug pipe F to receiving reservoir A. To clean out the latter pipes, the drip-pots are first cleaned out and warm water then passed through them,-such oil as may be carried along being separated out in separator M. e manner of disconnecting such separator from the system in order to clean it has already been described. The procedure in cleaning drying device N is similar. To-clean the :clarifier P its various parts p and'p maybe removed: entirely and washed, the oil in the-meam time discharging directly into reservoir A.

cleaned, tank B is adapted to be tem orari y used'as a storage reservoiras has en already shown.

To adapt the system to feed oil under air pressure all that is necessary is to secure the caps on tanks B B so as to make such tanks air-tight. Then forcin oil into such tanks against the volume .0 air confined therein will compress such air suflieiently to rovide the pressure desired. If through eakage or other cause, as a lowering of quantity of oil inthe tank, such pressure becomes inadequate, the pump is quickly connected to pump air into the tank to re store the ressure, the maintenance of the pressure eing automatically re lated, whether by the introduction of. oi or air in the manner already set forth.

It will thus be seen that mysystem, by its arrangement e f parts and structural fen-J tures, provides-for the automatic feeding of oil at any number'of points in adjustable uantities, for the thorough removal of all t "e usual impuritiesinoil that has been once used for lubricating purposes, and for the return of such' purified oil. to the general system, alternate connections'being rovided throughout whereby one portion 0 the syB tem maybe cleansed or repaired-without interfering with the continuous operation of the system as a-whole.

Having thus described my invention in detail, that which I particularly point out and distinctly claim is 1. In lubricating apparatus, the combination with oildistributing and drip collectingpi-pes, of means for circulating oil there- 'through and a plurality'of settling tanks separately connected with said pipes for receiving a portion of such oil and retainingthe same fromcirculation, said tanks beingarranged to permit the discharge of oil from one, and its retention in the other,

and vice-versa.

2. 'In lubricating apparatus, the combination with oil distributing and drip collecting pipes, of means for circulating oil therethrough, a receptacle connected therewith, anoverflow for said receptacle, a discharge pipe for said overflow having a plurality of discharge connections, and means adapted to raise the oil-in said receptacle up to and over' said overflow.

-3. In lubricating apparatus, the combination with oil distributing and drip collecting-pipes,- of means for circulating oil there through, a. plurality of receptacles independently connectedtherewith, overflows for said receptacles-respectively, and means for raising the oil in each of said recepfiacles up to and over the corresponding over- 4. In lubricating apparatus, the combination with oil distributing and drip collecting pipes, of means for circulating oil therethrough, a plurality of receptacles in dependently connected therewith, overflows for said receptacles respectively, a discharge pipe for each of said overflows having a plurality of discharge connections, and means for raising the oil in each of said receptacles up to and over the same.

5. In lubricating apparatus, the combination with oil distributing and drip collecting pipes, of means for circulating oil therethrough, a receptacle connected therewith, 'an overflow for said receptacle, a discharge pipe for said overflow having a plurality of discharge connections, and means adapted to supply to said receptacle a hquid heavier than oil in order to raise the 011 therein up to and over said overflow.

6. In lubricating apparatus, the combina-. tion with oil distributing and drip collecting pipes, of means for circulating oil there-' ing pipes, of means for circulating oil therethrough, a receptacle connected therewith, an overflow for said receptacle, a discharge pipe for said overflow having a plurality of discharge connections, and means adapted to supply water to said receptacle for raising the oil up to and over said overflow, said means including a spreader.

8. In lubricating apparatus, the combination with oil distributing and drip collecting pipes, of means-for circulating oil therethrough, a plurality of receptacles independently connected therewith, overflows for said receptacles respectively, a discharge pipe for each of said overflows having a plurality of discharge connections, and means adapted to supply water to the respective receptacles for raising the oil therein up to and over the corresponding overflow, said means including a spreader.

9. In a lubricating apparatus, the combination with oil distributing pipes and drip collecting'pipes, of an inclosed receptacle connected with said oil distributing pipes, and pumping means adapted optionally to supply either oil or air to said receptacle.

10. In a lubricating apparatus, the combination with oil distributing pipes and drip collecting pipes, of an inclosed receptacle connected with said oil distributing pipes, pumping means adapted optionally to supply oil or air to said receptacle, and means for regulating the relative amounts of oil or air thus supplied.

11. In lubricating apparatus, the combination with oil distributing pipes and drip collecting pipes, of a receiving reservoir, pumping means for supplying o l therefrom to said oil distributing pipes, and an oil clarifying device, connections being provided whereby said drip collecting pipesdischarge dptionallyinto said clarifying device, sald receiving reservoir, or said pumping means, and whereby said oil clarifying device discharges optionally into said receiving reservoir or said pumping means.

12. In lubricating apparatus, the combination with oil distributing pipes and drip collecting pipes, of a receiving reservoir, pumping means for supplying oil therefrom to said distributing pipes, and a water separating device, connections being rovided whereby said drip collecting pipes ischarge optionally into said water separating device or said receiving reservoir, and whereby said water separating device discharges optionally into said receiving reservoir or said pumping means.

Signed by me this 2nd day of August WILLIAM L. MORRIS.- Attested by- D. T. DAVIES, J N0. F. OBERLIN. 

